ZuriAshanti' Blog

Faith, Fitness and Fierceness. These words not only embody Zuri Johnson’s platform of P31FIT but they also reflect the life she strives for daily. She has a passion for educating, edifying, and empowering women of all ages to live more abundant and fulfilling lives that involve walking in their purpose.

The thief comes only in order to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have and enjoy life, and have it in abundance [to the full, till it overflows].

— John 10:10 (AMP)

In this life I believe we were all created on purpose and for a purpose. We have these visions and ideas of what our future looks like and sometimes there are challenges that occur between where/who we are and where/who we desire to be. We picture ourselves with a successful business but we didn't know we might go broke before it got started. We see ourselves with the beautiful family, married with two kids and a dog, but we didn't envision some of the tumultuous relationships we would go through along the way. We may have even pictured ourselves as gorgeous high-fashion models, but we didn't foresee the health, size, and "ideas of beauty" we would have to overcome on the journey.

Albert Jones, Jones Photos

A Life Size Model is:

1. A person with God-given vision and purpose, who is willing to surrender their idea of what their life looks like for God's plan. (Romans 5:17-18)

2. A person who stands in the face of challenges with a hopeful and determined spirit to see the work finished. (James 1:2-4; Romans 5:3-4)

3. A person who walks by faith and believes that how they walk through life has the potential to influence generations. (Hebrews 11)

4. A person who receives and accepts God's love, and in return shares His love with others. (John 3:16-17)

I am excited to embark on the Life Size Model journey and I hope you will join me along the way.

First, I must say you are beautiful. I know your family tells you this all the time but I want you to remember this in those moments that you feel your ugliest. When you feel like no one looks at you like they do your friends. When you feel huge in comparison to your classmates. And especially when you feel passed over at dances and parties. Your beauty is one that others will grow to appreciate and you will grow in its ownership. But the most important aspect of this beauty is that it radiates from the inside out. That quiet and gentle spirit of yours is of great worth in God's sight. No matter how you twist your hair or what kind of jewelry you may put on, it will pale in comparison to your spirit.

Now there will be moments when you may feel solitary. Especially after you decide to love Christ the way He loves you. You will feel set apart. Your group of friends will shrink and at times you will look around and see no one else at your immediate side. But in this time you will grow. As you feel surrounded by silence, God will be ministering to your heart. So spend that quiet time wisely. You don't always have to find a crowd to be around. There are some things that He must plant in you when He has you all to Himself.

Finally, just know that your latter will be greater. What you are going through right now is not the end. No matter how large the challenge may seem, how painful the heartbreak may be, or how long the wait may feel, greater is coming. You will make it through every obstacle that comes your way, whether it be degrees, boys, or jobs. There is a crown waiting on you.

As I near the last year of my 20s, I can fully admit that I had no idea what I was really doing at the beginning of my 20s. It took me some time to find a lane, let alone know if it was MY lane to even navigate in. I believe I’ve found it now. The next step is the navigation.

I believe everyone has their own individual gifts, purposes, and brand. Some find theirs earlier than others. But when you do find yours, you have to own it before you can truly grow in it. Today I am spotlighting five of my #WomenCrushWednesdays that I would also call #TheBrandingBeauties. These women know their brand and have grown their brand exponentially. They have been navigating their lanes successfully and even created the roadmap for others to be inspired by.

I’ve been happily natural for nine years now and one piece of advice I have for anyone planning to take that journey- don’t become a product junkie! Last year I purged a good load of half-used products that had been taking up space for years. I’m now proud to say I only have one shelf full. And that shelf also includes bobby pins, hair bands, combs, brushes and what not. So it’s pretty condensed down. But what I’ve found is you go out and buy bottles and tubs of various products because your favorite YouTuber (who may or may not have the same hair texture, porosity, or density) said this product gave them the greatest twistout or wash’n’go. And suddenly you go from a product drawer to a product closet within months! So find what works for you and your hair and its health. And by all means style the heck out of it if you want. Here are my top 5 favorite hair care brands that work for me, listed from least expensive to more expensive. ***This is not a sponsored post***

1.Garnier Fructis- Specifically the Triple Nutrition line. For all those diehard organic-only, no sulfates, or –cones naturals this may not be for you J. But starting at $3.99 this product line was what I started with back in 2007 after I big chopped and it has been great for my hair ever since. They changed the color of the bottle from green to this bright yellow but it still gives my hair the clean feel without being drying. And the conditioner gives great slip!

2.Crème of Nature with Argan Oil from Morocco- Now here’s one for those that don’t like sulfates! The Moisture and Shine Shampoo starts around $4.86 at Walgreens and is truly one of the most moisturizing shampoos I’ve ever used for under $9! And the Intensive Conditioning Treatment is the same price and wonderful. I remember being in a bind while traveling and needed to wash my hair from an old style. I was able to find both of these products in the local grocery.

3.Dark and Lovely ®- Specifically the Au Naturale Anti Shrinkage Curl Defining Crème Glaze. Ok people, it took me a little while to truly accept and even find my normal hair texture. Between coloring my hair and heat damage in the past there was not a truly defined curl pattern in sight. But once I grew ALL of my color out, got a proper cut, and stopped getting my hair straightened by individuals that didn’t care about my natural curls, I finally saw what it could do. And this product actually revealed even more of curls and S-patterns in my fro! It is a great definer for $9.99.

4.Shea Moisture- The holy grail, in my opinion, of affordable and mostly natural ingredients of hair care products. Anyone that has ever asked me what products I use will most certainly here me rattle off this name first. And there is no specific one I can point out because it truly depends on your texture or hair type. I use the Coconut & Hibiscus collection, the Jamaican Black Castor Oil Collection, and the African Black Soap Collection most frequently. But moreso because those match the needs of my hair. The products in these collections can range from $8.99 to $12.99 respecfully.

5.Posh Glam Collection – I had to include this brand because it’s not often that I get my hair straightened, but when I do, I do my best to get in the chair of Janeese Murphy, the hair stylist and creator of the Posh Glam Collection. The Glitz Mist and Platinum Polished Protectant gave my hair the silky straight look with one pass of the flat iron! Which means less opportunity for heat damage! And my curls returned effortlessly the next time I washed my hair. Product pricing available upon inquiry.

The saying “It’s not what you know, but who you know” never felt more accurate than to the recent college graduate, the person that’s ready for a career change, or the one starting their own business. All the knowledge and training in the world can feel worthless if it is not connected to the right people or companies. But let’s shift our minds to a place of greater impact- it’s really not who you know but who knows you. Who remembers you? Who have you left a great impression on? And if you give them a call will they speak of you in a positive light? If someone else gave them a call would they have great things to say or a warning not to hire you? Here are five positive ways to leave a great impression.

1.SMILE. There is nothing cliché nor corny about a genuine smile in the workplace. You appear more personable and pleasant. And if you smile more frequently in professional encounters then you will find that people see you as approachable. Also you don’t want the title of the grump or the “Negative Nancy/Ned” of your office space.

2.Participate in work/networking functions. If your office (or that networking organization) throws birthday parties, plays teambuilding games, or regularly schedules potlucks, you need to show up. And don’t only show up but participate! Play the game and cheer your team mates on. Bring some food and share that favorite Pinterest recipe you’ve been dying to try. Have some cake and join in on the off-key singing of “Happy Birthday”. But don’t just stay in the corner and look bored.

3.Get a vision. Figure out what you bring to the table. What strategies do you have to make wherever you work more influential than it already is? You probably have a different lens with which you view the world. So what is your perspective?

4.Share your vision. When your boss asks you your opinion on an assignment, share your opinion. Share it in a respectful way of course. Communicate those big ideas or even smaller ideas when you can. And if a colleague is struggling to brainstorm on a project, be a sounding board for them to bounce concepts off.

5. Support the vision of others. Just like you may have big ideas, so do your colleagues. Let’s face it, we know who shows up for us and who doesn’t. We are grateful for those that offer to help. And sometimes the only cost of support is time. See it as an investment to support your friends and colleagues’ visions.

There's a song my choir sang in college called "Encourage Yourself" by Donald Lawrence & The Tri-City Singers. My favorite lines are where the soloist adlibs saying "Sometimes you've gotta look in the mirror and tell yourself 'I can make it'. You've gotta remember life and death lies in the power of your own tongue. Even if nobody tells you you can run on, you tell yourself. You've gotta remember 'I'm more than a conqueror' ".

As I near my last year of my 20s, I'm so grateful I was introduced to that song at the beginning of my 20s. We get so excited to enter what we think is "adulthood" when we turn 20, that we put on our rose-colored glasses and think we're going to conquer the world. And for some of us, that is exactly what we set out to do. But conquering the world doesn't come without it's hurdles, pitfalls, and letdowns.

There have been naysayers. There have been those that don't understand what or why you've set out on this journey. And there are those who have tossed their rose-colored glasses aside and turned to the bottom of whatever liquid, drug or addiction that will settle their mind and dull their senses. Then they want you to join them in their pit of despair.

But... in spite of all of those who may or may not make it on your journey; remember it is your journey to take. If your heart is in conquering the issues of the world, then go after it, one step at a time. If your heart is in changing the lives of the youth, then impact change, one youth at a time. If your heart is for improving the lives of the elderly, then share your heart, one day at a time. Remember, your life is not only a gift but it's one with purpose. And as you go after your purpose, don't just rely on the cheers of others. Encourage yourself.

I hope this site/blog and my journey will be an encouragement to anyone that stops by! Through Faith, Fitness, and Fierceness, I hope you see a life lived abundantly!